Objective: To detect and analyze the expression level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], periodontal clinical indicators and immunological indicators of rheumatism in patients with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore the correlation between 25(OH)D and the two diseases. Methods: This study was a case-control study. According to the inclusion criteria, patients from the Department of Stomatology and the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and healthy volunteers from the Physical Examination Center were selected from November 2018 to May 2019 in Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University respectively. The patients were divided into 4 groups: 26 patients with simple periodontitis were included in the periodontitis group; 23 patients with RA were included in the RA group; 22 patients with RA and periodontitis simultaneously were included in the RA with periodontitis group; 22 healthy volunteers were included in the healthy control group, adding up to a total of 93 cases. The general information and periodontal clinical indexes of subjects in these 4 groups were recorded. Median elbow venous blood samples were collected from fasting subjects in each group, and 25(OH)D and immunoglobulin (Ig) were measured. The disease activity scores of RA patients were recorded and the rheumatic immune indexes were determinated. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between 25 (OH) D level and periodontal indexes in subjects of 4 groups. Results: The expression levels of rheumatoid factor [106.5(47.1, 283.8) kU/L] and C-reactive protein [20.5(13.1, 32.3) mg/L] in RA with periodontitis group were significantly higher than those in RA group [60.1(19.0, 110.0) kU/L, 14.7(3.0, 18.0) mg/L] (Z=-2.29, P=0.022; Z=-2.25, P=0.024). The levels of IgG and IgA in RA with periodontitis group [IgG and IgA: (16.0±4.3), (3.2± 1.3) g/L] as well as RA group [IgG and IgA: (16.3±5.5), (3.7±1.8) g/L] were significantly higher than those in healthy control group [IgG and IgA: (12.0±1.8), (2.3±0.6) g/L] and periodontitis group [IgG and IgA: (12.5±2.2), (2.0±0.7) g/L](P<0.05). The level of 25(OH)D in RA with periodontitis group [(26.0±9.8) nmol/L] was significantly lower than that in periodontitis group [(35.6±8.4) nmol/L] and RA group [(32.7±8.6) nmol/L] (P<0.05). The level of 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with sulcus bleeding index (r=-0.43, P=0.032) and clinical attachment loss (r=-0.41, P=0.043). Conclusions: Expression level of 25(OH)D was significantly decreased in patients with periodontitis and RA. There was a certain correlation between 25(OH)D and periodontitis and RA.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Periodontitis ; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives*

PURPOSE: Vitamin D is a potent immunomodulator. However, its role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis is unclear. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiallergic effect of intranasally applied vitamin D in an allergic rhinitis mouse model. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and alum before they were intranasally challenged with OVA. Then, they were intranasally administered 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (0.02 μg) or solvent. Allergic symptom scores, eosinophil infiltration, cytokine mRNA levels (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and interferon-γ) in the nasal tissue, and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a were analyzed and compared with negative and positive control groups. Cervical lymph nodes (LNs) were harvested for flow cytometry analysis and cell proliferation assay. RESULTS: In the treatment group, allergic symptom scores, eosinophil infiltration, and mRNA levels of IL-4 and IL-13 were significantly lower in the nasal tissue than in the positive control group. The IL-5 mRNA level, serum total IgE, and OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 levels decreased in the treatment group; however, the difference was not significant. In the cervical LNs, CD86 expression had been down-regulated in CD11c+major histocompatibility complex II-high (MHCIIhigh) in the treatment group. Additionally, IL-4 secretion in the lymphocyte culture from cervical LNs significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the antiallergic effect of intranasal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. It decreases CD 86 expression among CD11c+MHCIIhigh cells and T-helper type 2-mediated inflammation in the cervical LNs. Therefore, topically applied 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can be a future therapeutic agent for allergic rhinitis.
Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; Calcitriol ; Cell Proliferation ; Dendritic Cells ; Eosinophils ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Ovalbumin ; Ovum ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; RNA, Messenger ; Vitamin D

PURPOSE: We evaluated the relationship between laboratory/clinical factors and vitamin D levels in recurrent wheezers less than 3 years old. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data and laboratory factors (25-hydroxyvitamin D, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamyl purovic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], eosinophil counts, and serum IgE IgG, IgA, IgM) of 84 children less than 3 years who had experienced wheezing episodes at least 3 times. RESULTS: Children in the normal group (1.4+/-0.9 years) were younger than those in the deficient (2.2+/-1.2 years) and insuffient (2.3+/-1.0 years) groups (P=0.010). Glutamyl purovic transaminase were higher in the normal group (24.5+/-19.4 IU/L) than in the deficient (16.0+/-4.7 IU/L) and insufficient (15.3+/-4.5 IU/L) groups (P=0.009). ALP were higher in the deficient (791.4+/-180.8 IU/L) and insufficient (770.4+/-251.2 IU/L) groups than in the normal group (631.9+/-127.0 IU/L, P=0.034). Total IgE levels were higher in the deficient group (171.9+/-212.1 kU/L) than in the normal group (43.7+/-58.3 kU/L, P<0.05), and the rate of sensitization to aeroallergens was higher in the insufficient group (36.1%) than in the normal group (10%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Among children with recurrent wheezing less than 3 years old, low vitamin D levels may be associated with older age, total IgE, ALP level, glutamic pyruvate transaminase level, and rate of sensitization to aeroallergens.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Asthma ; Blood Cell Count ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child* ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Pyruvic Acid ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamin D*

PURPOSE: SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index is the best validated scoring system in atopic dermatitis (AD). But this scoring system has limitation to the interobserver and intraobserver variation. This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between the severity of AD classified by the SCORAD index and the laboratory tests. METHODS: We evaluated 67 children admitted in the pediatric allergy and respiratory division of Busan St. Mary's Medical Center from April 1 to 30, 2011. SCORAD index was measured by one same physician. The patients were classified into mild to moderate and severe groups by SCORAD index. We identified sex, age and family history of allergic disease. We checked laboratory tests including mycoplasma immunoglobulin (Ig) M, total IgE, eosinophil count, eosinophil cationic protein, specific IgE, total protein, albumin, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and inflammatory index (lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and skin culture. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in age, sex, parental allergic history, skin culture, mycoplasma IgM, specific IgE, immunoglobulin, and inflammatory index. The SCORAD index has statistically significant positive correlations with serum total eosinophil count, and total IgE, and negative correlations with total protein, and albumin. CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that serum total eosinophil count, total IgE, total protein, and albumin can be used to evaluate the severity of AD and make up for the SCORAD index.
Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin D ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Mycoplasma ; Observer Variation ; Oxidoreductases ; Parents ; Skin

PURPOSE: Although chronic and recurrent rhinosinusitis is prevalent in children, little is known about its causes. Here, we investigated the humoral immunity in children with chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis. METHODS: We examined 16 children attending the outpatient clinic at the CHA Bundang Medical Center including 11 boys and 5 girls, aged 3.11 years (mean age, 5.6 years), who had rhinosinusitis for >3 months or >3 times per year. The complete blood count with differential and total serum concentrations of Immunoglobulin (Ig) E, IgA, IgD, IgM, IgG, and IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) of all children were measured. All subjects received 23-polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccination (PPV), and the levels of antibodies to 5 serologic types (4, 6B, 14, 18C, and 23F) of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide antigens were measured before and after vaccination. Post-PPV antibody titers > or =0.35 microg/mL or with a > or =4-fold increase were considered as positive responses. RESULTS: The titers of IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgM were within normal range in all 16 children, whereas the total IgE concentration was higher than normal in 2 children. IgG1 deficiency was observed in 1 patient and IgG3 deficiency in 3. After PPV, 1 patient failed to respond to all 5 serologic types, 2 failed to respond to 4 serologic types, and 2 failed to respond to 3 serologic types. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider the evaluation of humoral immune functions in children with chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis who do not respond to prolonged antibiotic treatment.
Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Antibodies ; Antibody Formation ; Blood Cell Count ; Child ; Humans ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin D ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Reference Values ; Vaccination

We report two cases of nephrotic syndrome successfully treated with saireito. The first patient developed massive proteinuria of 5.2 g/day, was diagnosed with minimal-change nephrotic syndrome upon renal biopsy, and rapidly improved with saireito treatment for 2 months to the reduced urinary protein level of 0.3 g/day. Urinary protein increased to 2.0 g/day just after discharge, then again decreased and was brought to remission soon thereafter. The second patient with biopsy-proven idiopathic membranous nephropathy maintained nephrotic syndrome remission for 8 years with the treatment of small-dose prednisolone, an immunosuppressant, and an angiotensin II receptor blocker, then relapsed with 4.4 g/day proteinuria. In this patient, proteinuria was reduced after 4 weeks with the above combination therapy plus saireito to 1.3 g/day, then remitted again soon thereafter. The former patient presented with mild discomfort and opposition when the subcostal region was pressed ; the latter patient presented with apparent discomfort and opposition together with moderate leg edema. Because rapid remission of massive urinary protein with saireito treatment was observed in these patients, we report here and discuss possible mechanisms.
g/d ; Patients ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; sairei-to ; Cancer Remission

OBJECTIVEAnti-D IgG in RhD negative pregnant women is the main antibody of Rh-induced hemolytic disease of newborn (HDN). The study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of anti-D IgG screening and titer detection in RhD negative pregnant women.

METHODSSera of 286 RhD negative pregnant women were collected. Microtube column indirect antiglobulin test was used to screen and identify anti-D IgG. The indirect antiglobulin test was used to test the titer of anti-D IgG.

RESULTSAnti-D IgG was identified in 21 cases (7.3%). The titer of anti-D showed an increasing trend with pregnancy progresses. The clinical outcomes of 12 fetuses (newborns) from positive anti-D pregnant women were observed. Two cases died in utero, 2 cases did not show abnormality and 8 cases had hemolysis. The 8 cases with hemolysis were treated with exchange transfusion or blood transfusion, and they had a good prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe screening and titer detection of anti-D IgG in RhD negative pregnant women are valuable in the prediction and treatment of HDN.

ABO Blood-Group System ; immunology ; Adult ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Erythroblastosis, Fetal ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Isoantibodies ; blood ; Pregnancy ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; blood ; Rho(D) Immune Globulin

BACKGROUNDNR2B containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays an important role in the facilitation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. The discrete distribution of NR2B subunit in the central nervous system (CNS) may support reduced side effects of agents that act selectively at this site. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that a humoral autoimmune response targeting the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor relieves pain like behaviours produced by peripheral injury.

METHODSRats were immunized subcutaneously with NR2B-Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (NR2B-KLH) three times at two-week intervals. NR2B specific IgG titres in sera and cerebrospinal fluid were determined by indirect ELISA. Seven days after the third immunization, 2 of the 3 terminal branches of the sciatic nerve (tibial and common peroneal nerves) were tightly ligated. Behavioural testing was carried out on every other day after surgery, until 7 days after surgery. The lumbar spinal cord (L4-6) was removed on day 7 after ligation. The expression of NR2B protein in the lumbar spinal cord was determined using Western blotting.

RESULTSAfter the second vaccination, NR2B specific IgG in sera was detected to be > 0.5 microg/ml in six of nine rats. After the third vaccination, all the immunized rats had > 2.2 microg/ml. Titres of NR2B specific IgG in sera peaked 42 days post initial immunization and persisted for over 70 days. No NR2B specific IgG was detected in sera from PBS or KLH group. The behavioural thresholds in NR2B group were significantly higher than those in PBS and KLH groups on day 7 after ligation. NR2B specific IgG in CSF in NR2B group could not be detected on day 1 before spinal dissection; but could be detected on day 7 after surgery. The expression of NR2B protein in group NR2B was significantly lower than in PBS and KLH groups on day 7 after surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe NR2B peptide could be used as a vaccine against neuropathic pain, which could be associated with reduction of NR2B protein in the lumbar spinal cord.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hemocyanins ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Neuralgia ; immunology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Pain Measurement ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; immunology ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Time Factors ; Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology

OBJECTIVES: Purpose of this study was to investigate physiological and neurocognitive effects of total sleep deprivation by using laboratory blood tests and the computerized neurocognitive function test in healthy subjects. METHODS: Sixteen healthy volunteers participated in this study. Subjects were recommended to remain awake for 48 hours under continuous surveillance. Lab tests of cortisol, prolactin, thyroid hormone, growth hormone, and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE), CBC, BC and the Vienna test were performed before and after 48 hours of total sleep deprivation. RESULTS: Concentration of T3 and T4 significantly increased after deprivation. In the reaction test, distribution reaction time significantly increased, and correct reaction significantly decreased. In the vigilance test, amount of correct reaction significantly decreased, and the mean value of correct reaction time was significantly delayed. Level of fasting blood sugar, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and potassium significantly increased, respectively, except for the level of total bilirubin which was decreased. After total sleep deprivation, WBC counts significantly increased. Regarding immunoglobulin level, IgG, IgA and Ag M concentrations appeared to decrease, but the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The effect of total sleep deprivation on physiological function was significant in the level of thyroid hormone. Although statistically not significant, the results of growth hormone and the immune system showed a trend in relations to the effect of total sleep deprivation. Results of blood chemistry suggest that sleep deprivation may influence metabolism of hepatobiliary system. Cognitive impairment was also seen in reactive and vigilant functions after total sleep deprivation.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bilirubin ; Blood Glucose ; Chemistry ; Fasting ; Growth Hormone ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hematologic Tests ; Hydrocortisone ; Immune System ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin D ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Metabolism ; Potassium ; Prolactin ; Reaction Time ; Sleep Deprivation* ; Thyroid Gland

OBJECTIVETo detect 3-dimensional images of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor Nr1 (NMDAr1) polycolonal IgG affixed on mica in physiological environment.

METHODSThe images and data were obtained from a contact mode and commercial Si3N4 probed tip by using atomic force microscope (AFM).

RESULTSThe anti-NMDAr1 polycolonal IgG has a characteristic structure described as an ellipse spherical shape of 136.4 A x 62.8 A x 26.1 A. On the section of the ellipse edge there were two peaks about 13 nm in width.

CONCLUSIONSUsing AFM to investigate biomacromolecule can make us deeply understand the structure of IgG, which will instruct us to detect the membrane receptor protein as a labelling agent.

Adsorption ; Aluminum Silicates ; Gold Colloid ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; methods ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; chemistry